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Microplastics in canned, salt-dried, and instant sea cucumbers sold for human consumption
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Researchers tested canned, instant, and salt-dried sea cucumbers purchased from Chinese markets and found microplastics present in the products, with an average of about 1.4 particles per individual animal. The particles were mostly small fibers, and polypropylene was the dominant polymer type identified. The study estimates that regular consumers of sea cucumber products could be exposed to microplastics through their diet, though the daily intake levels were relatively low.
Determining the amount of microplastics (MPs) in food is key to clarifying their potential toxicity to humans. Here, we collected canned, instant, and salt-dried sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus, the most valued sea cucumbers, from Chinese markets to determine their content of MPs. Sea cucumbers contained MPs in the range of 0-4 MP individual, an average of 1.44 MP individual, and 0.081 MP g. Accordingly, consuming 3 g of sea cucumbers could result in an exposure risk of an average of 0.51 MPs, 0.135 MPs, and 0.078 MPs day for canned, instant, and salt-dried sea cucumbers, respectively. MPs were in size range of 12-575 μm, and fibrous shape was dominant. Furthermore, among the five polymers identified, polypropylene showed the highest energy binding with two catalysts engaged in organic chemical oxidation. This study extends the knowledge regarding MPs occurrence in food and provides a theoretical basis for MPs toxicity in humans.
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Researchers examined sea cucumbers from Langkawi, Malaysia and found over 1,600 microplastic particles in their digestive tracts, with fibers making up more than 99% of the contamination. The most common polymer types identified were polyethylene and polymethyl methacrylate, with the majority of particles falling in the smallest size ranges. The findings raise concerns about potential human exposure to microplastics through seafood consumption.
Microplastic (MP) contamination in sea cucumbers (Class: Holothuroidea): a review of abundances, distribution, polymer characteristics, and human health implications.
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Sea cucumbers, a popular seafood in many parts of the world, are absorbing tiny plastic particles called microplastics from ocean sediment as they feed—this review pulled together findings from 41 studies to show just how widespread the problem is. The plastics found were mostly tiny fibers and fragments from common materials like polyethylene (used in bags and bottles), and eating contaminated sea cucumbers could be a hidden way these plastics end up in our diets. While scientists don't yet know exactly how much this affects human health, the findings suggest we need better monitoring of seafood for microplastic contamination.
Baseline Assessment of Microplastic Ingestion in the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra, Jaeger 1833 from Pujada Bay, Philippines
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (mostly synthetic rubber fibers) inside nearly 4 in 10 sea cucumbers tested in a bay in the Philippines — a species commonly harvested for food in Southeast Asia. While this study didn't test human health effects directly, it's a reminder that plastic pollution is working its way into seafood, which is one reason researchers are increasingly studying how microplastics might affect people who eat marine animals regularly.
Preliminary study of microplastics content in the digestive tract of sea cucumber from Demak Waters
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Sea cucumbers collected from Demak Waters, Indonesia, were found to contain microplastics in their digestive tracts. Since sea cucumbers are eaten raw in many cultures, this finding raises direct concerns about human microplastic exposure through seafood consumption.
Existence of microplastics in the edible part of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
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Researchers demonstrated that microplastics can transfer into the edible body wall of sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus), entering through the outer surface and potentially posing a threat to human health through seafood consumption.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.